The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, will lead a sermon at Williamsburg’s First Baptist Church Sunday morning.
“It’s very, very rare for an Episcopal bishop to come to a Baptist church.” First Baptist Pastor Reginald Davis said.
Bishop Curry was scheduled to ring the church’s Freedom Bell during Black History Month last year, but an unexpected illness prevented his appearance.
Davis visited the bishop while in the emergency room, and his prayers and concern convinced the bishop to make a return trip.
Davis said he thought it would be wonderful to host the first African-American leader of the Episcopal Church to speak before his parish. He anticipated a message of inclusiveness that reaches across denominations.
“It’s time for us to erase the lines of demarcation,” Davis said. “We can collaborate to achieve the will of God on earth. Our denominations don’t necessarily have to separate us.”
Davis described Curry as a “radical leader like Jesus.” He doesn’t shy away from controversial issues. Curry’s support of same sex marriage and gay bishops is still controversial within his own church.
“The Episcopal Church probably represents a moderate voice, a centrist voice in the religious landscape,” Curry said in an interview with PBS last year. “We’re a tradition that has historically been able to live with differences.”
Davis said social justice and issues of equality are paramount to Curry’s gospel.
“We can work together to solve those common problems,” Davis said. “It’s time for us to collectively come together and work for those things. The creeds and the deeds might finally match.”
In Curry’s book, “Crazy Christians,” and Davis’ own, “A Dangerous Journey,” both discuss society’s evolving outlook on Christians. Davis said the “crazy label” that some place on the ideology leads to criticism, rejection and betrayal.
“All of those things that Jesus had to face, we have to face,” Davis said.
Ultimately, Davis said their intent with Curry’s sermon is to bring people together.
“I’m hoping that it will inspire us to continue to work for unity,” he said.
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-390-3029.
